Game Of Friendly Rivals

WORLD CUP SOCCER

Local Fans Of The United States And Mexico Are Thrilled About The Matchup.

June 15, 2002|By Pedro Ruz Gutierrez, Sentinel Staff Writer

The soccer rivalry between Mexico and the United States just got more intense.

After Friday's first-round results that nudged the U.S. men's soccer team into the second round of the 2002 World Cup, fans felt relief and joy.

But now they are feeling anticipation and trepidation for Monday's 2:30 a.m. showdown against powerful Mexico, which is coming off a first-place finish in its World Cup group with wins against Croatia and Ecuador and an impressive tie against Italy.

The two squads are not strangers. They battle almost year-round in fierce continental qualifiers, international tournaments and friendly matches.

The rivalry is such that the U.S. team has stopped playing qualifying matches against Mexico in U.S. cities with large Mexican populations, citing a lack of support from the hostile crowds.

Mexico has long dominated the United States in World Cup qualifiers. Since 1934, the United States has managed only three wins and five ties against Mexico's 13 victories. If other international competitions since 1980 are counted, however, the United States shows it has improved steadily with nine overall wins against Mexico's eight victories and five draws.

Still, Mexican supporters who live in Central Florida are brimming with confidence.

"From what I know, we'll beat the United States. No doubt," said Napoleon Ordaz, owner of Azteca's Restaurant on Main Street in Kissimmee. "Once in a while, they have beaten us, but the Mexican team is stronger this time and has more possibilities of going to the next round.

"There is a certain rivalry, but it is harmless," said Ordaz, who arrived in Orlando 15 years ago from Veracruz. "Our heart is with Mexico, but our sympathies lie with the U.S. because this is the country that opened its doors for us. Let the best team win."

U.S. soccer fans, including those in Central Florida, know Monday's game will be an uphill battle.

After watching South Korea hold off Portugal in a 1-0 win that sent the U.S. team into the second round, some are realistic about the United States' chances. Only luck and help from the South Koreans made Monday's clash possible, and maybe more of it will be needed against Mexico.

At Friday's Front Row Sports Grill on International Drive, more than 30 U.S. supporters and soccer fans gathered to watch Poland's 3-1 thrashing of the United States but ended up cheering for South Korea.

"The way we played today, I'm glad Korea won," said Richard Painter, 29, of Orlando. "You take what you get."

A tie would have been enough to give the U.S. team a second-round berth. But Poland, its pride wounded by humiliating losses to South Korea (2-0) and Portugal (4-0), came out firing. The Poles scored twice in the first five minutes and dominated for most of the first half.

For the United States to have a chance of beating Mexico, it's going to have to improve its defense.

"We have a tough road up against Mexico," said Mark Humphrey, a soccer fan who's a partner at the financial firm American Harbour of Orlando.